Locking bracket



hn, W, i950 w. KES 2,495J@ LOCKING BRACKET Filed oct. 12, 194e A 2 sheets-sheet 3.

WML/AM /f Em w, w@ W. KES 49H06 LOCKING BRACKET Filed Oct. l2, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR AGENT Patented Jan. 17, 1950 LOCKING BRACKET William Kes, Bronx, N. Y., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Philips Laboratories, Inc., Irvington on Hudson, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application October 12, 1946, Serial No. 702,914

4 Claims. (Cl. 248-125) My invention relates to a device for positioning the fluorescent screen of an X-ray apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a fluorescent screen holder which is selectively movable along a column and which may be conveniently rotated while locked in position along the column.

As is well known in the art, counter-balanced screen arms are generally used in connection with X-ray table examinations, the fluorescent -screen being carried in a yoke which is slidably mounted on a uoroscopic tower. For some purposes, e. g., radiographic examinations, it is advisable that the screen be locked in position over the table. However, for the examination of internal organs of the body wherein a permanent photographic record of the organ under study is desired, I have found that it is convenient for the operator to employ a lock which may, if desired, permit movement of the yoke along the column toward the table only. For example, while the yoke is locked against movement away from the table during the examination of internal organs subject to movement, the screen therein may be replaced by a spot film device and the holder may then be compressed against the body to prevent further movementof the organ under study. Moreover, I have found it useful to have the screen rotatable about a central axis in order to facilitate the examination of a patient on the table. Furthermore, after an examination it is often convenient for the holder to be swung away from the table without releasing the lock.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and novel means for positioning a fluorescent screen, or the like in manner convenient for use in conjunction with an X-ray table which is simple and readily accessible.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a locking mechanism for a fluoroscopic screen holder on a column which permits an operator to effectively arrange the lock, iirst to lock the holder in position along the column, second to allow it to slide unidirectionally along the column and third to allow it to move freely along the column.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a holder device for iluorescent screens so that the screen may be rotated about an axis passing through the column.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a holding device for uorescent screens so that the screen may be turned away from or toward an X-rayA table associated therewith.

These and further objects of my invention will appear as the specification progresses.

According to the present invention, a yoke adapted to receive the fluorescent screen of the X-ray apparatus is hinged to a holder which is slidably mounted on a iluoroscopic tower or column. The holder houses a locking mechanism vcomprising a jaw-like member for grasping the column when pressure is applied thereto. The jaw-like member may be selectively positioned so that, in one position the holder is locked to the column; in a second position the holder moves unidirectionally along the column; and in the third position the holder is free to move in either direction along the column. Moreover, means are providedwhereby the yoke may be rotated pivotally around its central axis or locked in certain predetermined positions, and further means are provided whereby the yoke may be swung away from or toward the table.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and more readily carried into effect it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

Fig. 1 is an embodiment of the invention in partial cross section; and

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the locking mechanism for holding the screen in position along the column taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. l, a yoke IIJ adapted t0 hold 4a fluorescent screen or a spot ilm device is hinged on a shaft II supported by a projection 25 of a housing I2 which surrounds a supporting column I3. The yoke I Il also rotates about swivel member I4 when a, locking pin 33 is freed from a slot 34 in an axial projection 35 of swivel member I4. Housing I2, in the position shown, is locked to a supporting column I3 by a jaw-like member 50 which is secured unyieldingly to column I3 by a cam 5I A detent lever` I8 mounted in yoke I0 to pivot about a pin 23 is connected to locking pin I6 which is seated in a slot I1 of projection 25. The head of pin I6 is slotted to receive lever I8 which is prevented from slipping out of the slot by pin 2D. When handle 2I is pressed against -compression spring 22, detent lever IB pivots about 1pin 23 lifting locking pin I6 out of slot Il permitting shaft II to rotate carrying yoke Il) With it. To limit theY swing of the yoke, projection 25 is provided with a shoulder 24 inthe slotted portion thereof which prevents the yoke from rotating downward, in the position shown in the drawingtoward the column I3.

handle 52 pinned to shaft 58 rotates cam"5I"to Swivel member I4 is journalled in a bearing 38 seated in an axial projection I5 of yoke Il] being secured thereto by a locking ring 26 seated in a circular slot of swivel member I4. Detent lever 32 is mounted pivotally on pin 3`I in yoke I0 and engages locking pin 33 which is seated, in the locked position .shown in the ,drawingin a slot 34 of axial projection -35 'of swivelxmember I4. .A handle 30 is slideably mounted on detent lever 32 and is provided with a curved portion .40 adapted to t over a shoulder 4I on axial projection I5. Handle 30 is provided with slots .T42 and 43 and is slideably secured to detent lever 32 by pins 44 and 45. When handleS is depressed inwardly against compression springf`3 I docking pin 33 is lifted out of slot 34 and yoke I0 rotates about swivel member I4 journalled in b'earingi36v of the axial projection I5. To permit yoke Il] .to be continually rotated, handle 30 slides along detent lever 32 until curved portion 40 rests on Yshoulder' 4I holding locking pin 33 'away'irom swivel member I4. Swivelmember I4 is provided `with a plurality of slots similar'to 3'4, of which two'areshown on the drawing-and to lock-yoke I Il in any position, handle 30 is releasedfromits locked position Vallowing pin 33 to'seat in one of "the slots.

The yoke assembly is'supported by a column I3. A housing I2, `shown securely locked tothe column'in the drawing, is arranged lfor relative 'movementalong column I3. A jaw-like lmember .50 actuated by a Vcam 5I `unyielding-ly graspsfa ucorner `of supporting 4column I3 `thus preventing movement `of housing 'I2 along column I3.

`free jaw-like member 50 'from column I3 topermit selective'movement of housing I2 along col- Vumn `I 3. `To prevent lundesired vcasual movement of handle L52, lock housing55'is providedwith'a plurality of 'notches 54. A vpin y"53 frictionally' seatedin one of 'notches 54`h0lds handle 52 in position when j'aW-likemember *50 is Vset "for vselective movement or locked "to column I3. `Io provide suicient friction, a spring 56 vheldunder compression by locking screwilv appliesipressure to pin 53 to `prevent Ycasual "movement 'of V'handle 52.

The operation `of the lock. can *be` readily understood by referringtoFigQ .wherein a sectional view taken along the.line'2-21of'Fig. 1. isshown. 'i

J avv-like member 50 angularly jgrasps 'column I3 and is secured .to'housing l2jby'a'mating member 6I. Matingmemberil 'is locked tothe housing by locking screw 62 and 'has a -b'alllikeportion `63 adaptedtot asocketlikeportionof"jawelike .member 5I).

`jaw-like member 50. Spring65 having .one 'end secured ,to housing I2 Athenholds `jaw-like member '50 againstcolumn I3 withsulicient Vpressureto prevent movement of the housing. along the'columnin the direction of'the'arrow.

The jaw-likeLmember '50 beinginangular relationship with column'l3, however, ridessufficiently freeof columnIS to permit housing I2 .tosli'de -in a direction opposing'thearrow. Rotating'handle 52 further .in a counterclockwse .direction rotates cam'BI 'lifting jawilike portion completely Cil free of column I3 by pressing against the other face of the slotted portion of jaw-like member 50, thus permitting housing I2 to slide bidirectionally along column I3.

With lever 52 rotated to the intermediate position, cam 5I is free of the jaw-like portion 50 and the yoke assembly is free to move in one .direction only: asf'shown onthe drawing in Fig. 2. This feature makes possible the movement of the screen toward an X-ray table while being locked Vagainst motion away from the table. For ex- 4' ampleaa patient may be placed on an X-ray table for examination of .an internal disorder, and the "screenmaybeconveniently placed in a position lforimakingza visual examination of an internal organ under study. The screen can then be rel:placedrbyra spotnlm device and the yoke moved toward the table thus compressing the organ under study to preventany further movement of the organ while an X=ray photograph is being ^taken. More particularly, -inthe examination of an Tintestinal Aorgan, 'which 'may be subject to 'movement-and as suchI will f blur the photograph, it is possible with the `compression feature vemployed -in my locking arrangement to fhold the /organ substantially motionless to obtain 'a clear and sharp radiograph.

1WhileIhave"described my'invention with spe- `'cie-examples and applications, other variations `thereofvv'ill-be apparenttothose'skilled'in the art withoutdepartingfromthe spirit and scope-ofmy invention.

What I claimA is:

.1. 'In an X-rayapparatus, 'a 'locking device for selective movement 4oi aholder for fluorescentY screens andthe "like along va `column comprising a housing slidably `'engaging Asaid column, amember Within said housing having one portion "swivel joined .toga mating member securedto said housingzand' having a jawLlikeportion adapt- 'ed to'bear angularly against said.columnsai'd member alsohaving aslottedportion, and a cam 4journalled in said housing Vand riding in said Slotted portion whereby saidicam may be selec- .tively positioned `rst to cause said `aw-like .por-

Vtionto positivelygrasp said column in xe'd posi- .tion, second'tocause said jaw-like Aportion to be 'free of the cam and-ftherebypermit unidirectional motion o'fsaidhousing along said co1umn,.and vthird to cause said jaw-'likeportion'tofbe lifted .'free of said column tmpermit bidirectional motion fsaidhousing along saidcolumn v'2. In an X-ray apparatusga device forselective movementof a holderfforiluorescent screensand ithe'like comprisingv a column, ahousing slidably engaging said column, .a member Jwithin Asaid vhousing'having oneportionswivelfjoined to a mating member secured tosaid housingandlhaving another .jaw-like portion adapted to bear angularly againstfsaid column, said member also having a slottedportion, Ameans to holdsaid jaw .like portion against said column, and ,a -cam journalled in `said housing .and riding in .said slotted Aportion vwherebysaid Ycam may be .selec- "ftivelypositionedrst tn cause .said jaw-like porvtion to positively grasp said column in .fixed position. second vt0.cause..said,jawrlikeportion to be Ifreenf the cam andV therebypermit unidirection- Lal motionof saidihousing along Said column,and third to cause said jawelikeportion .to be ,lifted .bysaid cam. free A oisaid column .to A.permit bidirectionalmotion ofsaidhousing along saidcol- .umn.

' 3. Jn tan 'X-ray apparatus, a..device;for.selec AY""5 tive movement of a holder' 'for iiuorescent screens and the like along a column comprising a housing slidably engaging said column, a member within said housing having one portion swivel joined to a mating member secured to said housing and having another jaw-like portion adapted to bear angularly against said column, said member also having a slotted portion, means to hold said jawlike portion against said column, a cam journalled in said housing riding in said slotted p0rtion, and ymanually operable control means operatively associated with said cam whereby said cam may be selectively positioned, first to cause said jaw-like portion to positively grasp said column in fixed position, second to cause said jaw-like portion to be free of the cam and thereby permit unidirectional motion of said housing along said column, and third to cause said jawlike portion to be lifted by said cam free of said column to permit bidirectional motion of said housing along said column.

l 4. In an X-ray apparatus, a device for selective movement of a holder for iluorescent screens and the like along a column comprising a housing slidably engaging said column, a member secured to said housing having a spherical portion thereof, a second member within said housing having a portion which is adapted to rock about said Cil spherical portionv and having another jaw-like portion adapted to bear angularly against said column, said second member' also having a slotted portion, a spring adapted to hold said J'awlike portion against said column, a cam journalled in said housing and riding in said slotted portion of said second member, and a lever operatively associated with said cam whereby said cam may be selectively positioned to cause said jaw-like lbe lifted by said cam free of said column to permit bidirectional motion of said housing along said column.

WILLIAM KES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,674,081 Adams June 19, 1928 1,831,341 Bush et al Nov. 10, 1931 

